Fluid treating apparatus



1941- c. L. HOWSE ETAL FLUID TREATING APPARATUS Filed March 30, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Curtis L. House,

H arry E. brelsford 1941- c. L. HOWSE ET AL A 2,267,920

FLUID TREATING APPARATUS Filed March so; 1938 s She et s-Sheet 2 Q i R k F. 5 vL1 INVENTORS Curtis L Howse M rry fiflfirelsfor ATTORNEY Dec. .30, 1941.

Filed March so, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 1 m 8 0 MW 7 M... 9 9. m Mm yv J IFJWIII I M M 0 w 6 7 0 2 2 m I ..||T l Ill llarllll v1 m ti: .C,.:| Ir W 4 0 4 0 5 9 a 4 3 H s m 5 R m m w Nw v E 0 V Patented Dec. 30, 1941 FLUID TREATING APPARATUS Curtis L. Howse and Harry E. Brelsford, Birmingham, Mich., assignors to Diamond Power Specialty Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 30, 1938, Serial No. 198,983

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a fluid treating apparatus of the, type in which a fluid to be treated such, for example, as air or gas, is adapted to be contacted by a second fluid such, for example, as a liquid.

While not necessarily so limited, the invention will find particular utility in a construction in which furnace gases or the like are adapted to contact wetted surfaces on which the dust carried by the gases is collected so that the gases are discharged to the atmosphere or to a point of use substantially free from dust.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to insure a positive feed of the treating liquid to the baffle elements with which the gas comes in contact.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for maintaining within narrow limits a liquid level in the tank which supplies liquid to the baflle elements.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic side elevational view of a fluid treating apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention:

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of that portion of the fluid feeding system leading from the supply tank;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view through the regulator valve forming a part of the construction;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the fluid feeding construction;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a further modification of the fluid feeding construction;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View of a modified form of the liquid level varying construction;

Fig. 11 is a diametric section through the standpipe orifice and orifice cleansing means of Fig. 1, in one position, and

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 with the parts in another relative position.

In fluid treating apparatuses of the type to flow the gas or air to be treated through a suitable casing in which are located baflle elements. These bafile elements aresupplied with a liquid which flows over the outer surfaces of the ele- :ments, the liquid generally being supplied to the pressure with the result that there is a tendency for the gas in the baflie element casing to flow upwardly into the liquid tank rather than the liquid to flow down onto the battle elements. It, therefore, constitutes a primary purpose of this invention to provide an improved means for insuring that under no circumstances will the pressure within the baflle element casing or gas passage be sufficient to prevent the flow of liquid from the liquid tank onto the baffle elements.

Referring first then to this portion of the invention and more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, the numeral l0 designates generally a bafile element casing which is interposed intermediate the ends of a gas passage H. The gas passagemay receive gas from any suitable source, generally from industrial furnaces or the like, while the bafile element casing Ill may be of any desired construction and supported in any desired manner. It will be apparent that when this casing is disposed intermediate the endsof the gas passage II, it in substance constitutes a part of this gas passage.

L Disposed within the casing II] are bafile elements l2 which while they may be of any desired construction are illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings as being threaded so that a larger completely wetted surface will be exposed to the gas flowing through the casing. The baffle elements are preferably also inclined in the manner illustrated whereby liquid on the rear faces thereof will tend to flow to the front faces thereof, while additionally, the baflie elements are preferably arranged in rows within the casing, the elements in one row being staggered, with reference to the elements in the next adjacent row to the end that the gas flowing through the casing must contact the outer surfaces of the elements.

For supplying a liquid such, for example, as water to the outer surfaces of the baffie elements, there is provided above the casing 10 and forming a part thereof, a liquid tank I3 which is which this invention relates, it is customary to supplied with a suitable dust collecting liquid in by the reference character 20. This floor 20 isprovided with a plurality of threaded openings, there being one disposed above eachbaflle element and in each opening them. is threaded or otherwise suitably securedya fitting-2| adapted to receive suitable packing 22 and a gland 23 which cooperates with the packing and the fitting to prevent the flow of liquid aroundthefltting.

down into the casing l0.

Suitably secured within the fitting 2|and dependingtherefrominto the casing I is atube 24.: This tubeis located immediately above the bafile element I2 and the lower end of the tube is adapted to receive a notched knob 25'which is secured toand is carried by the upper end of the bafile element. The lower end of the baflie element is supportedin any desired manner (not shown) and it will be understood that the. knob 25 maintains the upper end of the element in proper position with respect to tube 24,. while permittingthe flow of liquid .through the tube into the recess |4..

Also carried by the. fitting 2| andprojecting a predetermined distance above the same, is a tube.3l which communicates with the tube 24.:

The tube projects into the tank .I 3 and the upper end of this tube is notchedas at 3|.the depth of the notch determining .the level which the liquid must reach in tank .|3 before it flows into tube 30 and thus throughtube 24 intothe recess l4.

Disposed in the lowerend of tube 30* is a re-. stricting plug 35 provided with an orifice 36 through which the liquid must flow to enter the tube 24' and hence the recess 14.. It is this orifice with. a substantial head. of. liquid thereabove which prevents the gas-in the casing l0, ,which is under pressure, from flowingupwardly through tubes24 and 30 and into-tank IS.

The orifice 36 performsits function byvirtue of the fact that it-is large enough to permit the necessary liquid to passinto the tube 24 under gravity flow and yetis small enough that a substantial head may be provided thereabove thereby permitting a pressure on the outlet thereof greater than the opposing .pressure of the gas.

inthe passage ID. The vertical extent of .tube 33 above the orifice and thus the head of liquid in tube 30 will determine the pressure exerted by the liquid on the orifice 35 and it is contemplated that the elementwill be so arranged that. this pressure of the liquid will sufiiciently overbalance the gas pressure as topermit the proper flow of liquid into the recess I4 of the bafileelement.

Fig. 8 discloses a modification of the fluid feeding constructionwherein an externally notched disc 9|! is carried by rod 9|. This rod is of such length that whenin normalposition in tube 3|! its lower end will pass into tube 24 and rest on knob 25 while its upper end, terminatingin loop 92, will project a desired distance above the upper end of tube 30s. Rod 9| .alsozcarries a spider-93 so positioned verticallyi on the .rod as, to contact the walls-of tube..30 .3slightly. below and 7, the numeral 40 designates a suitable liquid the notch 3| it will be apparent that spider 93 in conjunction with the notched disc will serve to prevent lateral movement of the rod 9| and will maintain the rod in an upright position. Orifices 94 are provided on notched disc 90 and are sufficiently large to permit the necessary amount of fluid to pass into tube 24*- and yet small enough to restrict the gas flow as previously described; the effect being a plurality of relatively small orifices.

It will be apparent that the construction is such that should a bafiie element be displaced or drop out of a feed tube 24 then the rod 9|, with the support ofthe knob 25 removed, will drop until-therloop-92-engages the top of the tube 30 thus providinga visible indicator of the trouble within the casing H). An additional advantage of this constructionis that it provides an orifice construction easily removable for cleaning. This is accomplished by simply lifting rod 9| and the attached notched disc 90 and spider 93 from their position in'the tube 30.

A further variation of this construction is shown in Fig. 9 where a checknut 95 and a;

notched tube cup 96 threadably engage the upper part of a tube 91 which extends into the casing top 20 to receive knob 25*. Fitting 98- and gland nut 99 cooperate to support tube 91' in its properposition in the top 20 and toprevent the flow of liquid around the fittingdown into the casing-.- IU. Adjustment of the level at which it is.de-- sired to have water admitted to eachv element isthus possible through the vertical-movement of tube cup96 and check nut 95.

As previously mentioned a feature of this in-; vention is to provide means for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in the tank l3. This; is accomplished by controllingthe supply of liquid to the tank by means of a regulator valve which in turn is controlled by the pressure resulting from a vertical head of water in an overflow pipe or standpipe, .as will now be de-; scribed.=

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 3

supply; pipe whiehextends alongside the :casing l0 adjacentthe lower portion thereof. The liquid flowing. throughlthe supply'pipe 40 is controlled by a suitable regulator valve 4|, which comprises a valve casing 42 and a diaphragmz-casing 43..- The .valve. casing includes valve membersr-M and these valve members. are carried by a stem, 45 which is secured to a diaphragm 46 located in the diaphragmcasing. A spring 4'!- disposed above the diaphragm tends: to norm-ally 'unseat.

the valve members 44. and thustopermit the liquid to flow from supplypipe 40 to vertical pipe: 48:..ivhich discharges: .intoithe. tankul 3.

Leading into the tank i3 is a conduit.5fl-'which; has an upwardly directed open end- 5| (Fig; 4) in thereservoir into which liquidwill flowrwith the resultfthat normallyltheliquid intank'. |3- will be maintained at level A, as shown in Fig. 4. A suitable strainer. 63 is suspended in .the open.- upper .endv 5|5in.sueha manner as to be easily removable for cleaning.

The .pipe .150 is .:extended outside 1. .of the tank I3 and communicates by. .way..of.'a :fitting152; with a verticalstandpipe 53.1 'I'he.vertica1 standpipe is provided above the fitting. 52Lwith an .ex-2 tension 54 which opens .pto.the-.atmosphereto permit air .which. might .bejtrappedrim the vertical standpipe to, escape: 7

At; its lower endthe pipe -.-53isarrangedto dischargegfiat, 55 into-.- the -.;bottom 10f casing 0:

The liquidfrom the bafiles I2 also drains into the bottom of the casing. It will be noted, Fig. 1, that the bottom of the casing is inclined so that the liquid therein will flow by gravity to a suitable discharge pipe 56 and in order to flush the bottom of the casing I8 there may be provided a branch conduit which discharges into the bottom of casin III at the end thereof opposite I from the discharge conduit 56. The conduit 5! communicates with the supply pipe 40 and is provided with a suitable valve 58 whereby the supply of flushing liquid to the bottom of the casing may be controlled.

It will be noted that the regulator valve 4| is disposed above the lower end of the standpipe 53 and there is provided a branch conduit 66 which communicates with the standpipe 53 and with the diaphragm casing below the diaphragm so that the pressure of the head of water in the standpipe acts on the diaphragm against the force exerted on the latter by the spring 41. The diaphragm casing is preferably provided with a drain 62 which communicates with an extension of the casing above the diaphragm so that in the event that the diaphragm should become ruptured the liquid discharged from the standpipe will be conducted to a suitable point of disposal.

When liquid is supplied to the tank I3 sufiiciently-to overflow the inlet to the pipe 56, it will be apparent that there will be a flow of liquid into the standpipe 53. As its lower end and just before the standpipe 53 discharges into the casing I0, the standpipe is provided with a suitable restriction or orifice 64, of either a fixed or variable type, which limits the amount of liquid escaping from the standpipe into the bottom of the casing.

The arrangement is such that the liquid flowing into the end 5| of conduit 58 equals the liquid flowing out of the standpipe through orifice 64. The parts are so designed that should the level of the liquid in the standpipe drop to the point indicated by the line B (Fig. 1), the regu-'- lator valve will be opened wide thus admitting more liquid to the line 48 and hence to the tank I3 to restore the liquid therein to the desired level. On the other hand, should the level of the liquid in the standpipe rise above a point indicated by the line C, the regulator valve will be'closed by the pressure resulting from the head of liquid in the standpipe, thus cutting off the supply of liquid to the tank I3. Should the level of the liquid in the standpipe reach any intermediate position between points B and C, the regulator valve will be opened a proportional amount with the result that the liquid in the tank I3 will be constantly maintained at the level A (Fig. 4). The diameter of standpipe 53 may be varied to change the sensitiveness of the control, a smaller diameter giving a quicker response, hence a more constant level and a larger diameter, a more sluggish response. The liquid level will thus be maintained approximately 'at the level A, this level corresponding to the bottom of the slot 3|. The tube 38 is always maintained filled with liquid thus providing a liquid pressure on the tube outlet 36 in excess of the possible maximum operating pressure of the gas in the casing I8. For manually admitting liquid to the tank I3 in the event of failure of the regulator valve to operate, there may be provided a suitable by-pass 65 around the regulator valve, this by-pass being manually controlled by a valve 66.

In some instances, notably where the liquid used contains solid matter which is apt to plug up the orifice 64, it has been found expedient to provide an orifice which is quickly and easily cleaned. Figs. 11 and 12 show diagrammatically a structure for accomplishing this result. A three-way valve I I6 containing orifice III, corresponding to the orifice 64, is connected to the standpipe 53 and the drain pipe 53 Also communicating with valve H6 is line II8 which carries under pressure any convenient and suitable flushing fluid. This line I I 8 may, for instance, be attached to a city water main. The valve H6 is further provided with openings H9 and I20 and is operated in the usual manner by a projecting handle by which it may be rotated about its own axis. In its operating position (Fig. 11) the cleaning liquid flows into valve II6 by way of the orifice Ill and out the opening I20 into the line 53*. To clean the orifice the valve is rotated in a counter-clockwise manner until it is in the position shown in Fig. 12. In this position any solid matter deposited on the orifice III is forced further along pipe 53 by virtue of the imposition of increased pressure by the fluid in the line I I8, and thence into the casing Ill. Still further counter-clockwise rotation of the valve through 90 closes oil the drain pipe 53 and permits the standpipe to be blown out if such should be desired.

It constitutes a still further object of this invention to provide a means whereby the normal level of liquid in tank I3 may be varied, if desired. The structure for accomplishing this result is disclosed more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5 wherein the reference character I6 designates'a tubular member having at its lower end a beveled portion II adapted to seat on a corresponding beveled portion I2 of the open end 5I of the pipe 50. It will be apparent that when the tubular member I0 is lowered into engagement with the valve seat or beveled portion I2, the liquid must flow over the top of thetubular member before it enters tube 50 thus raising the normal level of th liquid in tank I3.

The tubular member III is provided at its upper end with a yoke I3 to which an actuating rod I4 is secured, the rod being adjustable to vary its vertical relation with the yoke. The rod I4 extends upwardly through a tubular support 15, which is carried by the upper end of the tank I3, and is normally urged upwardly by a spring I6 which engages a collar 11 secured to the rod.

Member I5 supports a platform which car- .ries at its one end an upright 82 to which a lever 83 is pivoted as at 84. The lever is adapted to engage th upper end of the stem I4 and is guided in its pivotal movement by guide members 85 which are also carried by the platform 80.

At its free end the lever 83 is provided with a chain 86 and it will be apparent that when the chain is pulled downwardly so that the lever assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 the tubular member I0 will be lowered into engagement with the valve seat I2, thus raising the normal level of the liquid in tank I3. Any suitable means (not shown) may be utilized for securing the chain 86 in its downwardly pulled position so as to maintain the higher level of the liquid in the tank I 3, although normally the lever 83 is actuated to raise the level of the liquid in the tank I3 only momentarily thus increasing the head of Water acting on tubes 30 to effect a flushing of the baffle elements I2. It will be apparent that whenever the chain 86' is released,

the spring I6 will return' -lever- 83 -and tubularmember 10 to the positionsshown'in Fig. 4, permitting the level of theliquid in'tank- I3 to re turn to height A.

Fig; 10 shows a modification of the liquid levelvaryingjconstruction; In the open end of pipe 50 a suitable cone-shaped wire strainer 53 is suspended in such a manner that it can be easily removed; Pipe 50 projects through 'the'side of tank I3 and communicates with the pipe I and standpipe 53 by way of one of the openings I03 the T fitting IOI. Lock nut I02 is carried by pipe I00. Above the fitting IN a tube I04 is provided as an extension of the standpipe 53 and pipe I00.- Disposed in tube I04 and supported bygguide member I05 and end plug I06 is valve tube I01; Carried at the lower end of the valve tube I01 and arrangedto seat 'onthe upper end of pipe- I00 is valve-member I08; Valve tube I01 being open at both ends, air, which might pipe I04 to vary the compression of the spring.

Attached to the lower end of rod III] and depending therefrom is a chain II5.

As will be readily apparent when chain H5 is pulled downardly against the spring I I3 which; normally holds valve I08 in its open positiomthevalve .is forced to its seat on the upper end of pipe I00 thereby shutting, off the flowof liquid from the-pipe 50 into the standpipe 53. Asthe head in the standpipe falls valve M of the rogue lator AI is opened wider and'there being; no drainage by way of'pipe 50 from tank I3 the level in the tank is raised. This increases the head acting on tubes 30 andhence efiects a flushing, of the bafi'les I2.

end of th pipe I00 by rotation thereof in its threaded seat.

From the above itwill be apparent that the invention provides means whereby liquid will'be supplied to the baifieelements even thoughthe pressure of the gas flowing through the casing,

I0 is greater than atmospheric pressure. Further itwill be apparent that the invention provides a means whereby the level of the liquid in:

the tank I3 may be maintained at a predetermined desired normal level but may be varied, when desired, for the purpose of flushing the exterior surfaces of the baffle elements.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such If it is desired ;to raise the head on the pipe 30 for any extended length of time this can be accomplished by elevating the changes inflthe details *of construction and an rangement of parts as willfall within .the purview of the attached claims.

What we .claimas our invention is:-

1. A :liquid level control device comprising a reservoir having:a source :of supplyof liquid, a horizontally; disposed conduit disposed in said reservoir, said conduit having an upwardly extending, openend communicating with the reservoir at a predetermined level therein, a stand. pipe communicating with said conduit, means providing-a restricted drain for said stand pipe,-

means controlled by the level of the liquid in said stand pipe for controlling the flow of liquid to said reservoir, a tubular element engageable with: the open endof said conduit for varying thelevel' at which said conduit communicates with the reservoir, means normally maintaining said tubular element out of engagement with the open end of the conduit, and means operable to .move

said tubular element into engagement with the openend of said conduit 2. A liquid level control. device comprisinga reservoir having'a source of supply of liquid, a horizontallyv disposed conduit disposed in said reservoir, said conduit having an upwardly extending open'end communicating with the reservoir at a predetermined level therein, a stand pipecommunicating with said-conduit, means providing a restricted drain for said stand pipe, means controlled by the level of the liquid in said stand-pipe for controlling the flow of liquid to said reservoir, a tubular element engageable with the open end of said conduit for varying the level atwhich said conduit communicates with the reservoir, means normally maintaining said tubular element out of engagement with the open end of the conduit, slidable guide means for insuring alining fit of said tubular element over the end of said stand pipe upon lowering thereof, and means operable tomove saidtubular element into engagement with the openend of said con-' duit.

3. A liquid level control .devicecomprising a reservoir having a -sourceof supply of liquid, at horizontally disposed conduit .disposed in said reservoir, said conduit having an upwardly extendingopen endcommunicating with the reservoir at apredetermined-level therein; a stand pipe communicating with said conduit, means providing a restricted drain for said stand pipe;

means controlled by the level of the liquid in said stand pipe for controlling the flow of liquid to said reservoir, a tubular element engageable with the openend of sa-idconduit for varying the level at which said conduit communicates with the reservoir,'means normally maintaining said tubular elementout of engagement with the open end of'the conduit, slidable guide means for insuring alining fit ofsaid-tubular element over the end of said stand pipe upon lowering thereof, and manual means operable from a point remote from said reservoir for selectively moving said tubular element into or out of engagement with the open-end of said-conduit.

CURTIS L. HOWSE.

HARRY E. BRELSFORD. 

